Indian Air Force (1952 - 1993)
Touch The Sky With Glory
Introduction Of The Indian Air Force (IAF) Song
1992
Since the inception of the IAF post independence, the Air Force did not have a dedicated song. It was many decades later, that Suri introduced the 1st Air Force song.
His main motivation for the creation of the IAF song, was to promote a further sense of identity, unity and pride for serving and retired officers, airmen and other members of the broader Air Force fraternity. The song was formally instituted in 1992 at the IAF Diamond Jubilee celebrations in New Delhi, presided over by the honourable President of India, S.D Sharma as the Reviewing Officer.
Suri instructed Air Marshal K.D. Lewis, one of the principal staff officers to the CAS, to commission an individual for this purpose. The draft English version of the song was scripted by Mrs Zora Shaw, wife of late Group Captain G.J. Shaw. Suri directed for the IAF song to be written and sung in Hindi. The first English version was changed and translated to Hindi, which then become the official IAF song.
The approved final version of the IAF song was first sung by the famed Late Lata Mangeshkar. The original 1992 recording is above. Much credit goes to Air Marshal Keith Lewis and his wife Mrs. Maureen Lewis for their significant contribution towards the creation of the Air Force song.
Air Force School Children singing the iAF song at the diamond jubilee celebrations
New Delhi, 1992
The IAF band playing the Air Force Song at the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (New Delhi, 1992)
